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XAT 2012 Analysis

Analysis: XAT 2012

XAT 2012 was difficult than last year's XAT papers. This year the different questions in different sections were allotted different marks which made the paper more difficult. There were questions of 1,2,3,4 and 5 marks. Students found it difficult to devise any strategy to attempt the paper. Right selection of questions will play an important role in clearing the cutoffs.

Overview of the paper:

There were 101 questions (3 Sections) in all and the time allotted was 2hrs. The three sections were as follows:

Verbal and logical ability

Quantitative ability& DI

Analytical reasoning and decision making

Overview of the XAT 2012 Paper

Time allotted

2Hrs. + 20 Minutes for paragraph

Total no. of questions

101

Marking Scheme

Different for different questions

Sections

3

Number of choices

5

Negative Marking

One fourth of the mark(s)allotted for each question

Expected cut-offs*

A score of 68+ can expect a call from XLRI63+ can expect a call from XIMB55+ can expect a call from GIM/BIM/LIBA45+ can expect a call from XIME/XISS

Overview of Different Sections

Sr. No.

Sections

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level

1

Verbal & Logical Ability

34

Moderate

2

Quantitative ability& DI

43

Tough

3

Analytical reasoning and decision making

24

Moderate to Tough

SECTIONAL - ANALYSIS

SECTION I: Verbal & Logical Ability

Area Tested

Description

No. of Questions

Difficulty Level /remarks

Verbal & Logical Ability

RC

30

Moderate to Tough

Verbal Reasoning

3

Easy to Moderate

Grammar

6

Easy

Sentence Rearrangement

3

Moderate

Evaluation: Overall section was moderate to tough. This section contained 34questions.The verbal section was of 69 marks. There were 13 questions of 1 mark each, 8 questions of 2 marks each,12 questions of 3 marks each,1 question of 4marks. The paper was dominated by critical Reasoning, followed by RCs, based questions etc. There were 2 RCs which were moderate in length but contained highly inferential questions / Critical Thinking based questions. One poetry based question also made a comeback this year. Critical Reasoning questions were tough to reason out.. Rest of the verbal section was moderate. Overall the verbal section can be termed as difficult in comparison to previous year's XAT.

Comfortable Attempt: A score totaling to 26+

Achievable Score: 16+ was an achievable score.

SECTION II: Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation

Area Tested

Description

No. of Questions

Quantitative Ability& DI

Functions

2

Percentage

2

Number System

6

Time, Speed & Distance

6

Time & Work

2

Geometry & Mensuration

4

Averagesn

1

Multiple Graphs

4

Sets

1

Miscellaneous

2

Probability

1

Tables

3

Line Graphs

3

Simple Interest

1

Evaluation: There were 7 question of 1 mark each, 14 questions of 2 marks each, 14 questions of 3 marks and 8 questions of 5 marks each. So this section had (1 × 7 + 2 × 14 + 3 × 14 + 5 × 8 = 117) 117 as maximum marks. The DI question was comparatively easier. Four questions of line graph were easy and should have been attempted. One 5 marks question (a77 of : prime number based) was esey. Geometry questions were tough and should have been avoided.

Comfortable Attempt: A score totalling to 20+

Achievable Score: 14+ was an achievable score.

SECTION III: Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making

Sr. No.

Area Tested

Description

No. of Question

1.

Analytical Reasoning and Decision Making

AR block

14

Decision making

10

Evaluation:There were 1 question of 1 mark, 8 questions of 2 marks each, 12 questions of 3 marks each, 1 question of 4 marks and 2 question 5 marks each. The section had 67 as the maximum marks. This section was a fair mix of AR and decision making question. Decision making questions required thorough and repeated reading. Choices were very close. One should have attempted this section with much caution.

Comfortable Attempt: A score totaling to 26+

Achievable Score: 15+ was an achievable score

ESSAY TOPIC

This year the pattern of giving essay topic also changed i.e. an argument was given and test taker was asked to present his/ her judgment/views along with the justifications and examples in approximately 250 words.